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HomeMy WebLinkAboutP&Z Packet 9.21.17MINUTES PRELIMINARY PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 – 7:00 PM – FORMAL MEETING EMMA J. HARVATHALL,CITYHALL MEMBERS PRESENT:Carolyn Dyer, Ann Freerks, Mike Hensch, Phoebe Martin, Mark Signs, Jodie Theobald MEMBERS ABSENT:Max Parsons STAFF PRESENT:Sara Hektoen, Bob Miklo OTHERS PRESENT: RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL: By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of VAC17-00001 a vacation of the alley right of way in Block 44 of the Original Town Plat, Iowa City, IA excepting the S 10’ of the W 120’. By a vote of 6-0 the Commission recommends approval of VAC17-00002, a request to vacate right-of-way adjacent to 2222 Old Highway 218 South. CALL TO ORDER: Freerks called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA: None. VACATION ITEM (VAC17-00001): Discussion of an application submitted by City of Iowa City for a vacation of the east-west alley right of way in Block 44, Original Town Plat located east of Gilbert Street, south of Iowa Avenue, west of Van Buren Street and north of Washington Street. Miklo noted this alley is next to the City Hall building. The alley was originally platted with the original town plat in 1839. Part was previously vacated to allow the construction of the Civic Center/City Hall expansion. The proposal is to vacate the remainder of the alley so that it may be used in conjunction with the new development in the parking lot. This right-of-way has not been used as an alley since the Civic Center was built, and there are barriers in the way deterring access through this alleyway. Miklo noted the Staff Report reviews all the items the City looks at when reviewing a vacation request and they find that this request meets all the criteria. He added if there are any utilities, they will be relocated or vacated or have an easement established. This alley does not provide access to any adjacent private properties. Staff recommends approval of VAC17-00001 a vacation of the alley right of way in Block 44 of the Original Town Plat, Iowa City, IA excepting the S 10’ of the W 120’. Planning and Zoning Commission September 7, 2017 – Formal Meeting Page 2 of 4 Freerks asked about the new parking structure space being used to provide space for City vehicles and public access easements and if in the past the easements were listed as conditions to approval. Hektoen clarified that happens at the conveyance stage and in this case there is a developer’s agreement and a sales purchase agreement that list the contingencies and execution of necessary easements. Freerks opened the public discusssion. Seeing no one, she closed the public discussion. Hensch moved to recommend approval of VAC17-00001 a vacation of the alley right of way in Block 44 of the Original Town Plat, Iowa City, IA excepting the S 10’ of the W 120’. Theobald seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. VACATION ITEM (VAC17-00002): Discussion of an application submitted by City of Iowa City for a vacation of the unimproved right-of-way adjacent to 2222 Old Highway 218 South. Miklo stated this area is the former right-of-way of old Riverside Drive. When McCollister Boulevard was built the alignment of Riverside Drive adjusted to allow for a T intersection and this piece was left over. There is no City need for the rest of area, The University of Iowa owns the adjacent property and the intent of the vacation is to allow the conveyance of the right-of- way to the adjacent property. There are no issues with utilities or public access with this vacation. Staff recommends approval of VAC17-00002, a request to vacate right-of-way adjacent to 2222 Old Highway 218 South. Freerks asked what prompted this vacation request. Miklo explained that it is connected to the previous alley vacation item on the agenda. The State of Iowa owns the original town platted right-of-ways. In order to allow the right-of-way to be sold the City is trading the Old Riverside Drive right-of-way for the alley. Martin asked why the whole area was not being vacated. Miklo explained that the property to the east needs that area of right-of-way for access. Freerks opened the public discussion. Seeing no one, she closed the public discussion. Theobald moved to recommend approval of VAC17-00002, a request to vacate right-of- way adjacent to 2222 Old Highway 218 South. Signs seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. Planning and Zoning Commission September 7, 2017 – Formal Meeting Page 3 of 4 CONSIDERATION OF MEETING MINUTES: AUGUST 17, 2017 Signs moved to approve the meeting minutes of August 17, 2017 with edits. Hensch seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0. PLANNING AND ZONING INFORMATION: Report from the National American Planning Association Conference. Will defer this item to a future agenda. Miklo noted that the Commission had asked staff to check on the compliance of the landscaping plan for the new medical office building on North Dodge Street and North Dubuque Road. Staff asked inspectors to look at the site plan that was approved by Staff and what has been planted. He reported that Staff found that the landscaping does comply with the site plan. Theobald noted that some of the trees planted are already dead. She recalled more landscaping be discussed at the Planning and Zoning meeting when this was reviewed. Freerks requested a copy of the plan that the Commission reviewed at the time the property was rezoned. She also asked for an itemized account of how the landscaping complies with the requirements in the zoning ordinance. Freerks added this is an entryway into the City and it needs to be landscaped correctly. Martin noted that while the most visible side of the building along Dodge Street has very few windows and trees, the parking lot side of the building is much more attractive. Miklo said Staff would revisit the plan and report back at a future meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Theobald moved to adjourn. Signs seconded. A vote was taken and motion carried 6-0. PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSIONATTENDANCE RECORD2016 - 20171/19 2/2 3/2 3/16 4/6(W.S.)4/20 4/20 5/4 5/18 6/1(W.S)6/7 6/15 7/6 7/20 8/3 8/17 9/7DYER, CAROLYNXXXXXXXXO/EXXXXXXXXFREERKS, ANNX X X XO/EX XXXXXXXXXO/EXHENSCH, MIKEXXXXXXXXXXO/EXXXXXXMARTIN, PHOEBEX X X X X O/E O/E X X X X O/E X X X X X PARSONS, MAXX XO/EX X X XXXXXXXXXXO/ESIGNS, MARKX X X X X XXXX X X X X X X X X THEOBALD, JODIEX X X X X X X XX X X X X X O/E X X KEY: X = PresentO = Absent O/E = Absent/Excused --- = Not a Member